Kimberly #MaskUp Ratliff, MSc
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kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Kimberly #MaskUp Ratliff, MSc
@kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
660 followers 1.1K following 1.4K posts
narcolepsy + sleep advocate ~ NFL fanatic ~ Carolina Panthers fan ~ The Sims 4 ~ COVID cautious in CLT ~ pro-mask, pro-vaccine, pro-abortion ~ cat mom ~ DnD, Doctor Who & pro cycling lover ~ skeets are my own ~ she/her ~ @kimberlyratliff on TwitterX
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kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Yes. And if it was up to Charlotte, she would have won.
A screenshot from the North Carolina State Board of Elections website, https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/05/2024&county_id=60&office=FED&contest=1393 It shows that for Mecklenburg County, the November 8 2024 US Presidential election results were as follows: NAME ON BALLOT PARTY BALLOT COUNT PERCENT Kamala D. Harris DEM 376,454 65.19% Donald J. Trump REP 187,770 32.51% Jill Stein GRE 4,058 0.70% Write-In (Miscellaneous) 3,755 0.65% Chase Oliver LIB 2,696 0.47% Cornel West JFA 2,004 0.35% Randall Terry CST 697 0.12% Claudia De la Cruz (Write-In) 68 0.01% Shiva Ayyadurai (Write-In) 3 0.00%
November 16, 2025 at 5:10 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
An excerpt from this Politico piece: www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Platner’s social media posts, including messages from as recently as 2021, have gained widespread media attention in recent days. POLITICO reported Platner suggested political violence is necessary to affect social change in a 2018 post. The Washington Post reported Platner downplayed concerns about sexual assault in posts from 2013. CNN reported he labeled all White Americans in rural areas as racist and stupid in one 2020 post and said all cops are “bastards” in a 2021 post. The Bangor Daily News reported Platner asked why Black people “don’t tip” in a 2013 post.
October 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Thank you @flagsforgood.com -- we may not be able to participate in the No Kings protests due to energy-limiting illnesses, but we can still show support for the cause! #NoKings #NoKingsDay #NoKingsCLT #CLT #Charlotte #CharlotteNC
Photo of a garden flag hanging from a suburban mailbox post. The flag says No Kings since 1776 with an upside-down crown, printed over a blue banner at the top with vertical red stripes at the bottom. A small Flags for Good tag is visible in the upper corner.
October 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
This is the Charlotte Observer, not the N & O, although I realize you share a newsroom. Readers like me are less interested in the 9 Triangle area protests and more interested in the 10+ Charlotte area protests.
Map of No Kings protests around Charlotte, NC with 10+ location pins represented.
October 18, 2025 at 12:44 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
My coworker is being extra sweet to me today
#CatsOfBluesky #NotCaturday
A brown & grey tabby cat with a white chin & chest rests in a fluffy gray cat bed on top of a desk. A brown & grey tabby cat with a white chin & chest and eyes closed receives pets in a fluffy gray cat bed on top of a desk.
October 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
From the FCC's own site on The Public & Broadcasting, in the section Broadcast Programming: Basic Law & Policy - "It [the 1st Amendment] also protects broadcasts that criticize or ridicule established customs and institutions, including the government and its officials."
www.fcc.gov/media/radio/...
Criticism, Ridicule, and Humor Concerning Individuals, Groups, and Institutions. The First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech similarly protects programming that stereotypes or may otherwise offend people with regard to their religion, race, national background, gender, or other characteristics. It also protects broadcasts that criticize or ridicule established customs and institutions, including the government and its officials. The Commission recognizes that, under our Constitution, people must be free to say things that the majority may abhor, not only what most people may find tolerable or congenial. However, if you are offended by a station’s programming, we urge you to make your concerns known in writing to the station licensee.
September 18, 2025 at 2:19 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Gentle reminder that you can mute words & tags on Bluesky. So if there are subjects today making you mad or sad, and you need a break from them for a day, a week, or a month, hit Settings > Moderation > Muted Words & Tags, and then fill out this form:
Screenshot of the "Add muted words and tags" function in the Bluesky mobile app on Android. Text: "Add muted words and tags. Posts can be muted based on their text, their tags, or both. We recommend avoiding common words that appear in many posts, since it can result in no posts being shown. Enter a word or tag" There are radio button selections for the duration of the mute, ranging from one day to 7 days to 30 days to forever. There is also a radio button to choose between muting from both text and tags or just tags. There is a checkbox to avoid muting users you follow. At the bottom is a button labeled Add+.
September 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
COVID Competent over here.
Exam Complete! 100% You got 20 out of 20 questions correct (Weighted score: 26.6/26.6) 😷 Epidemiologist's Nightmare Perfect score! You're so well-informed, conspiracy theorists actively avoid you at parties. Share your results and challenge others!
September 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
It's primary election day, and I ran out at lunchtime to vote in the primary for Charlotte Mayor & City Council. I prefer to vote early, but none of the early voting locations were close enough to home. Get out and vote today, CLT! Polls are open until 7:30 pm. #ncpol #cltcc #vote #IVoted
An "I Voted" sticker with an American flag on it, sitting on top of a vehicle steering wheel with the Subaru logo on it.
September 9, 2025 at 5:18 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Keep trying! Every time my cat jumps up on my work desk I put her in a fluffy bed that I bought and put off to the side (as opposed to her sitting directly in front of me, where I need the workspace) she FINALLY got in there on her own sporadically in late July and more consistently into August.
Photo of a fluffy round dark grey cat bed with a cat lying inside. The cat is a brown tabby with white chin and chest. In the background, an open cabinet door is visible overhead, and a wire snakes from behind the door.
September 4, 2025 at 1:08 AM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Sooo precious!

My big girl was keeping me company while I played DnD last night
Image taken from above of an open laptop on a lap desk with a Dungeons & Dragons map on the screen, a forested campsite with the 20 ft sphere of the effects of the Spike Growth spell circled in bright green. A brown tabby cat rests to the right of the laptop keyboard on a gray armrest, turquoise collar barely visible, facing away from the camera.
August 23, 2025 at 7:47 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Just left a testimonial for you. 500 characters is not nearly enough to sing your praises!
Screenshot that says "Sephora Squad" at the top. "I just left a testimonial for @THESKINCAREBULLY" "I first followed The Skincare Bully on Twitter years ago (well before it was X). She made these great videos & posts in the evenings giving out "tough love" reminders to perform your nighttime skincare routine before going to bed. I've followed her to Bluesky and love her sunscreen tests. I'm lazy with skin care & steps and her advice helps so much!"
August 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
My favorite resource for figuring out how long foods are good past their "best buy" date is StillTasty.com
Diet soda may be good 3-6 months past the "best buy" date. Regular (non-diet) goes for 6-9 months after, depending upon storage conditions.
Screenshot from StillTasty.com How Long Do Unopened Diet Soft Drinks Last? DIET SODA / SOFT DRINKS / POP (INCLUDING DIET COLA, GINGER ALE, ROOT BEER), COMMERCIALLY CANNED OR BOTTLED — UNOPENED Pantry: 3-6 months after date on package Refrigerator: 3-6 months after date on package Screenshot from StillTasty.com How Long Do Unopened Soft Drinks Last? REGULAR SODA / SOFT DRINKS / POP (INCLUDING COLA, GINGER ALE, ROOT BEER), COMMERCIALLY CANNED OR BOTTLED — UNOPENED Pantry: 6-9 months after date on package Refrigerator: 6-9 months after date on package
August 14, 2025 at 10:18 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Happy you, happy Felix!
About 6 months since we adopted Nala here, sharing because the photo has a similar POV
Photo from above of a brown tabby cat stretched out and lounging on her back, resting atop a pair of human legs clad in blue & black yoga pants. The gray footrest of a recliner is extended in support of lap and cat.
August 11, 2025 at 10:31 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
The pandemic *state of emergency* has ended, but the pandemic *itself* is not over, according to the World Health Organization. Source: www.who.int/europe/emerg...
On 5 May 2023, more than three years into the pandemic, the WHO Emergency Committee on COVID-19 recommended to the Director-General, who accepted the recommendation, that given the disease was by now well established and ongoing, it no longer fit the definition of a PHEIC. This does not mean the pandemic itself is over, but the global emergency it caused is – for now.
July 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Sharing a pic of my sweet Nala in her window bed. We can both pay attention to what's going on in the world AND enjoy the love & peacefulness of our pets. We can put both in our timelines.
Photo of Nala, an adult cat with brown tabby coloring on most of her head & body and a white chin & chest. She is curled up like a loaf in a gray fleece bed that is suction cupped to the window, looking at the photographer. Behind her out the window, green grass is visible along with a hint of the landscaping from a neighboring house.
June 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
The Holocaust Museum defines the difference between a concentration camp and prison, is the concentration camp operates outside of a judicial system.
Screenshot titled "Holocaust Encyclopedia" at the top, with the number 2 and a definition below: What distinguishes a concentration camp from a prison (in the modern sense) is that it functions outside of a judicial system. The prisoners are not indicted or convicted of any crime by judicial process.
April 20, 2025 at 11:16 AM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
What perfect albums came out when you were 16? #musicsky
Album cover of Depeche Mode - Violator Album cover of Jane's Addiction - Ritual de lo Habitual Album cover of Pet Shop Boys - Behaviour Album cover of LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
April 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Happy Transgender Day of Visibility to my trans & non-binary friends, neighbors, teammates, loved ones & mutuals. I'm glad you're here. You are seen, heard, appreciated & loved. I'm going to keep standing up for your rights because Trans rights are human rights. #TransRights #Ally #TransgenderDay
A stylized drawing of the transgender flag waving (light blue stripe, followed by pink, then white, then pink, and then light blue) with the words TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY printed over the hued stripes.
March 31, 2025 at 11:49 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
What are your favorite Epic Boon feats for a Sorcerer in DnD5e (2024)? I get to level up my Aberrant Mind Sorcerer to lvl 19 after tonite's battle, and am undecided which to take. The're a poison dart Loveland Frog -- each player is a different cyptid. #TTRPG #DnD #DnD5e #DungeonsAndDragons
Screenshot from the site HeroForge of a custom miniature figurine of the Dungeons & Dragons character named Azure Toxika. Azure (they/them) is a 4-1/2 ft tall Loveland Frog of the poison dart variety, and is an Aberrant Mind Sorcerer. They have blue skin, stand upright on 2 feet like a human, and wear elaborate white mage robes trimmed in turquoise, olive green, rust & gold. They have a dagger on their belt, a magic broom worn on their back and are holding a magic staff in their right hand.
March 8, 2025 at 6:00 AM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
We are childfree by choice and my spouse is on his 2nd minivan. With all rear seats folded into the floor he can haul appliances, sheets of plywood & other cargo without worrying about exposure to the elements or theft from the back of a truck. Also, we had 2 greyhounds to take to the dog park.
A photo of two adult greyhound dogs in the tiled entryway of a home. The dog on the left is a female named Clear The Way a Last Word (Lassie), red fawn in color with a purple collar. The dog on the right is a male named Gable Junior (Junior), fawn in color with a black collar. Coats are hung to the side of the hallway.
March 6, 2025 at 6:09 AM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Hey my friend 💜 How are you holding up in these unprecedented times? We just adopted a kitty, Nala, at the end of January after many petless years post-doggos. Her purrs are keeping our blood pressure down some.
Photo of small female torbie cat with blue-green eyes and a turquoise, blue & white breakaway collar. She is sitting on a faux woodgrain bookcase littered with binders, folders, a black camera case, rechargeable batteries & memory cards. Photo of small female torbie cat with blue-green eyes sitting on a white windowsill looking directly at the camera, with a backyard deck visible through the window. Photo of small female torbie cat with blue-green eyes. She is standing on a washed out blue rug with a darker blue duvet behind her, looking directly at the camera. Photo from behind of a small female torbie cat wearing a turquoise, blue & white breakaway collar. She is sitting on a fluffy gray window shelf, looking out the window, with a suburban side yard visible through the window.
February 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Absolutely loving these masked up valentines posted by CLT Mask Bloc to their IG & ExTwitter.
#MaskUp #MasksWork #WearAMask #CovidIsAirborne
IG: www.instagram.com/p/DGEOZTBv8t...
ExTwitter: x.com/CLT_Mask_Blo...
An image in the style of a Valentine's Day card with a light pink background. Clip art around the text includes three sketch-style hearts, a trifold KF94 and Powecom KN95. Text reads, "I'm masking you to be my valentine." The "to" that’s supposed to indicate the recipient is blank, and underneath is "from: CLT Mask Bloc". An image in the style of a Valentine's Day card with an orange background. Clip art around the text includes a Flo Mask Pro. Text reads, “love is in the air. And so are germs.” The "to" that’s supposed to indicate the recipient is blank, and underneath is "from: CLT Mask Bloc". An image in the style of a Valentine's Day card with a purple background. Clip art around the text includes a cup-style N95, a 3M Aura N95, and a VFlex N95. Text reads, “are you an N95? Because I want you with me wherever I go.” The "to" that’s supposed to indicate the recipient is blank, and underneath is "from: CLT Mask Bloc". An image in the style of a Valentine's Day card with a red background. Clip art around the text includes two iHealth COVID rapid antigen tests. Text reads, “are you a rapid antigen test? Because I want to see you twice in 48 hours” The "to" that’s supposed to indicate the recipient is blank, and underneath is "from: CLT Mask Bloc".
February 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Update: I heard back from Senator Marcus @natashamarcusnc.bsky.social about the NCGOP power grabs inserted into the Hurricane Helene relief bill: #ncpol
Screen shot of an email from NC State Senator Natasha Marcus to me, 11/19/2024 at 11:42 am. Hi Kimberly, We just got the bill (132-pages) 45 minutes ago. We’re reviewing now, for our session tomorrow. Looks like there are several terrible provisions attached to the relief bill, including this one. They are up to their old tricks. We will fight it, but you know we don’t have the votes to stop it. Natasha Marcus Senator, District 41
November 19, 2024 at 4:45 PM
kimberlyratliff.bsky.social
Sandy the instructions are on the Sky Follower Bridge browser extension page. This is a screenshot of the page from the Chrome Web Store, I don't know if the instructions are the same for Firefox. Link to Chrome Web Store page:
chromewebstore.google.com/detail/sky-f...
Screen shot of the Sky Follower Bridge extension page from the Chrome Web Store. Includes the Overview section, Documentation, How to Use & Troubleshooting.
November 17, 2024 at 7:44 AM